The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shut down after lawmakers failed to agree on funding by a midnight Friday deadline, while also facing scrutiny after a spokesperson announced that immigration agents appeared to have lied about a recent shooting in Minnesota. Simultaneously, Britain's High Court ruled that the government illegally banned the protest group Palestine Action, and Venezuela is debating a sweeping amnesty for political prisoners.
The DHS shutdown, which occurred on February 13, 2026, impacted the agency's workforce of over 260,000 people. The funding expired after lawmakers left for a week-long recess without reaching a deal. Democrats expressed concern over the conduct of federal immigration officers, citing the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens by immigration officers in Minnesota.
In Minneapolis, a DHS spokesperson announced that two federal immigration agents involved in the shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant last month appeared to have lied about the incident. A joint review by ICE and the Department of Justice of video evidence revealed that sworn testimony provided by the officers contained untruthful statements. The agents were placed on administrative leave.
Across the Atlantic, Britain's High Court determined that the government's decision to outlaw Palestine Action as a terrorist organization was unlawful. However, the ban remained in place pending another hearing while the government prepared an appeal.
Meanwhile, in Venezuela, a debate is underway regarding a sweeping amnesty for political prisoners. Relatives of political prisoners were seen outside the National Assembly, hoisting a banner with the Spanish word for "Democracy," emblazoned with images of former President Hugo Chavez and independence hero Simon Bolivar.
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